World's 100 best clean tech companies? Surprises await

The world's best clean technology companies are both innovative and practical, as energy efficiency accounts for 19 of the top 100 on a 2011 scorecard.

Any list of the world's best-100 companies is subjective, as is this third annual one by research firm Cleantech Group, released this week at the Global Cleantech 100 Summit in Washington, D.C. Still, it's interesting to see what a panel of 70 clean tech experts view as noteworthy.

Since clean tech changes rapidly, only 58 companies on last year's list still make the top 100 this year. The 2011 ranking finds the United States, led by California, remains dominant among the 16 countries represented. On a GDP basis, however, small countries such as Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands and Sweden fare well.

The 2011 report says the percentage of solar and biofuels companies will likely decrease in the next few years, as these markets mature and consolidate. Among the top 100 this year are at least two California-based solar firms, SunRun and Solar City, that Green House has written about.

Also on the list are OPower, which helps consumers reduce energy use, and Recyclebank, which gives them awards points for recycling.

The Global Cleantech 100 program gave North America's company-of-the-year award to Silver Spring Networks, an advanced metering and home energy management firm, and the rising-star-of-the-year award to SCIEnergy (fka Scientific Conservation), maker of a cloud-based building efficiency solution.

It gave the corporation-of-the-year award to General Electric, which made 12 new investments in clean tech companies this year although it's not on the top-100 list. The scorecard is produced in collaboration with the United Kingdom's Guardian News and Media and sponsored by Autodesk, Deloitte and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati.

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About Wendy Koch

Wendy Koch has been a reporter and editor at USA TODAY since 1998, covering politics and social issues. She's begun a quest to build the most eco-friendly home her budget allows. She'll share her experience and give you tips for greening your home. More about Wendy